a bit of our story
"I have a word - I have no money!" |
Hello Friend! A little bit about us...
Joy Fellowship Church had its beginnings back before we ever had a real 'home' here...In the early years of the 2000's, a few people saw something about to change in Bradford, especially for the people of Bowling Lane. They saw a place of beauty and restoration, homes with families and cookouts, neighbors who truly loved one another, and a community where healing and peace would flow - They prayed and walked these streets, trusting God to bring it about in His timing.
Pastor Mark, with his wife Lisa, joined with a handful of believers who could also see what God was about to do here, and began meeting in a home to pray about beginning this work, right here. Believing the vision, they rented the auditorium in Bradford School and began to establish a place for God to gather more of His people and touch a neighborhood with goodness and love. God began His work of drawing precious people from the area to Himself and Jesus began to heal and reveal His love and purpose for the families of Bradford.
All the while, there was a sense that the little church on Bowling Lane held the key to the forming of Joy Fellowship Church. We couldn't see it yet though, as the time at Bradford School came to an end, and the church moved to a new rented space where we could be more permanent in gathering together, and have room to teach children and minister to families. We were now in the center of downtown Westerly, across from the Amtrak Train Station. But our hearts did not move far from Bradford....
Around 2013, the little white church on Bowling Lane was up for sale. Would this finally be our 'home'? Through God's workings and nothing short of a miracle, Joy Fellowship purchased the property and moved into the neighborhood we were destined for. We were finally home! This was it - what those few visionaries saw by faith before Joy Fellowship was - was alive and rapidly expanding! Once more, neighbors were drawn to the life coming out of the 'Little Church on the Lane', and Jesus was at work transforming hearts.
Within a year we were bursting at the seams. We just took up residence, and were already at capacity! What exactly did God have in mind? Again, we prayed. Again, God spoke...As Pastor Mark would declare over and over..."We have a word, we have no money." God, who gives the vision, that His purposes for each person in the neighborhood would be included in this work, would set in motion that provision - through another set of miraculous events. Finances, wisdom, labor and materials were apprehended and the expansion of our building would be complete in three short phases. All the while, people from Bradford and Bowling Lane could see the hand of a Good God at work, and knew that they themselves were being drawn in to become a part of the real Church - the body of believers - with a genuine, warm welcome. This was the House that Love was building. It wasn't about the new walls and windows, it was and always will be about building up people!
If you are looking for a family to welcome you with open hearts and open arms, please come home. You are invited to come as you are. We aren't looking for perfect people. We will walk with you on your own journey, always leading to Jesus and His restoring love and power. We all start at the same place. But our stories don't end there....that's where they begin!
We have a place for YOU in our future story to tell. The 'Church on the Lane' wants to become YOUR church on the Lane. Right where you live. We live here too. Can't wait to meet you friend!
Joy Fellowship Church had its beginnings back before we ever had a real 'home' here...In the early years of the 2000's, a few people saw something about to change in Bradford, especially for the people of Bowling Lane. They saw a place of beauty and restoration, homes with families and cookouts, neighbors who truly loved one another, and a community where healing and peace would flow - They prayed and walked these streets, trusting God to bring it about in His timing.
Pastor Mark, with his wife Lisa, joined with a handful of believers who could also see what God was about to do here, and began meeting in a home to pray about beginning this work, right here. Believing the vision, they rented the auditorium in Bradford School and began to establish a place for God to gather more of His people and touch a neighborhood with goodness and love. God began His work of drawing precious people from the area to Himself and Jesus began to heal and reveal His love and purpose for the families of Bradford.
All the while, there was a sense that the little church on Bowling Lane held the key to the forming of Joy Fellowship Church. We couldn't see it yet though, as the time at Bradford School came to an end, and the church moved to a new rented space where we could be more permanent in gathering together, and have room to teach children and minister to families. We were now in the center of downtown Westerly, across from the Amtrak Train Station. But our hearts did not move far from Bradford....
Around 2013, the little white church on Bowling Lane was up for sale. Would this finally be our 'home'? Through God's workings and nothing short of a miracle, Joy Fellowship purchased the property and moved into the neighborhood we were destined for. We were finally home! This was it - what those few visionaries saw by faith before Joy Fellowship was - was alive and rapidly expanding! Once more, neighbors were drawn to the life coming out of the 'Little Church on the Lane', and Jesus was at work transforming hearts.
Within a year we were bursting at the seams. We just took up residence, and were already at capacity! What exactly did God have in mind? Again, we prayed. Again, God spoke...As Pastor Mark would declare over and over..."We have a word, we have no money." God, who gives the vision, that His purposes for each person in the neighborhood would be included in this work, would set in motion that provision - through another set of miraculous events. Finances, wisdom, labor and materials were apprehended and the expansion of our building would be complete in three short phases. All the while, people from Bradford and Bowling Lane could see the hand of a Good God at work, and knew that they themselves were being drawn in to become a part of the real Church - the body of believers - with a genuine, warm welcome. This was the House that Love was building. It wasn't about the new walls and windows, it was and always will be about building up people!
If you are looking for a family to welcome you with open hearts and open arms, please come home. You are invited to come as you are. We aren't looking for perfect people. We will walk with you on your own journey, always leading to Jesus and His restoring love and power. We all start at the same place. But our stories don't end there....that's where they begin!
We have a place for YOU in our future story to tell. The 'Church on the Lane' wants to become YOUR church on the Lane. Right where you live. We live here too. Can't wait to meet you friend!
why we are here
The Gathering -
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The Fellowship - ContinualWe have a saying here which we declare often - 'Better now' - which means when we get together and mix our lives with one another, we are always "better now!" because of the spirit of Jesus within us, knitting us together.
We welcome you to come be a part of our hearts and experience the fellowship of the family! |
The Equipping - For HarvestTraining believers for the work of the ministry is the heart of Jesus' command to make disciples.
All of our ministries exist to fulfill this mission - whether Sunday morning preaching, or mid-week bible study, right down to children's church - we love and build people, who will go and love and build other people. |
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Joy Fellowship Church
17 Bowling Lane Bradford, RI 02808 |
Joy Community Building
70 Bowling Lane Bradford, RI 02808 |
Mailing Address
PO Box 7 Bradford, RI 02808 |